THE family of a missing man have made a heartfelt plea for him to get in touch and let them know he is OK.
A major search is being carried out to find Michael Murphy, 32, from Mold, whose car was found abandoned on a bridge over the River Dee.
A spokesman for his family said: “All we can do at this time is pray and hope for his safe return. Please come home Michael or get in touch and let us know that you are OK.”
Mr Murphy was last seen on Wednesday when he left the Convatec factory on Deeside Industrial Estate at about 6am.
It is understood he had clocked on for his early morning shift there and made a cup of tea before leaving work unannounced.
His red Volkswagen Polo car was recovered by police from the Flintshire Bridge at 2pm the same day after it was reported by a member of the public. Police have now issued a description of the clothing Mr Murphy was wearing at the time of his disappearance: a dark grey flat cap, a long dark grey duffle coat, blue jeans and white Adidas trainers with three black stripes on the side.
Mr Murphy is 5ft 10ins tall, of medium build with short, fair hair, which is balding.
Det Insp Alun Oldfield said: “I appeal to anyone who has seen Michael or who knows of his whereabouts to contact police immediately.
“I particularly urge anyone who left the Deeside Industrial Estate on Wednesday to think back and to contact us immediately if they recall seeing the red coloured car, if they recall seeing anyone leaving the car or walking near or on the bridge.”
Witnesses reported seeing his abandoned car with its hazard lights flashing on the westbound carriageway of the Flintshire Bridge, which runs from Deeside Industrial Estate to Flint crossing the River Dee.
A spokesman for Convatec, which makes ostomy and wound care products, added: “We are working with police to provide them with all of the information they need.”
An extensive search of the river embankments involving North Wales Police officers, the helicopter from the North West Air Operations Unit, the Coastguard, RNLI, the Search and Rescue Dogs Association (SARDA) and the regional Police Underwater Search Team is continuing.
More than 1,000 members have joined a group on social networking site Facebook set up to trace Mr Murphy.
A Twitter account has also been set up by family friend Annette Thomas to raise the profile of the search.
Anyone with information can call North Wales Police on 101.